The New York State Education Department is advancing a new policy that would no longer require students graduating in January 2028 or later to pass certain Regents exams to earn a high school diploma. The plan applies to New York State’s high school graduation system, not the entire United States, and calls for the diploma assessment requirements to end in fall 2027.
The change would not mean that Regents exams are eliminated entirely. The exams are expected to continue measuring students’ achievement of state learning standards, contributing to state and federal assessment processes, and being used for academic distinctions such as seals or other credentials. However, passing specific exams would no longer be required for a diploma.
New York State aims to move to a single diploma
The new approach seeks to replace New York’s three separate diploma models with a single New York State high school diploma. Academic distinctions would be shown through seals and additional credentials rather than separate diploma types. Academic achievement indicators such as Advanced Placement are expected to be retained as part of this framework.
The change, part of the NY Inspires education transformation plan, aims to shift graduation criteria away from a system based solely on exam results and toward a broader evaluation of knowledge, skills, career-connected learning and competencies. The new competency-based graduation system is planned to begin full implementation for students entering high school in fall 2029.
Credit and assessment requirements will continue
Under the current system, students must meet credit requirements based on their diploma type and pass a Regents exam or an approved alternative assessment in English, mathematics, science, social studies and one additional area. Under the new plan, credit requirements would remain in place, and students would continue to take assessments required under state and federal law.
Because of federal rules, state assessments for specific grade levels in mathematics, reading or language arts, and science will also continue. The change therefore does not mean that students will take no exams or be exempt from all assessments. How schools will demonstrate students’ proficiency through projects, portfolios, local assessments or other evidence will become clearer during implementation.
Final decision depends on approval
Work on revising graduation criteria was taken up by the New York Education Department and the Board of Regents in 2024. During 2025, they worked on the credit structure, diploma criteria and a competency-based education approach. In June 2026, officials announced that the system would shift from time-based criteria toward one based on students demonstrating their knowledge and skills.
The next phase announced on September 14, 2026, advances the transition to a single state diploma and the plan to separate Regents exams from diploma requirements. However, current graduation rules will remain in effect until the Board of Regents approves the final regulations. The change is expected to reduce pressure surrounding exams and limit disparities in access to assessment, while raising new questions about preserving academic standards and comparing students’ achievements in college applications.
